Vitamin D

[lolabear]

So my little man had his 4 month well baby check and he is doing great (14lb 6oz, now officially bigger than dd2 at 9 months lol) but the dr told me that bf babies do not get enough vitamin D and he would need a vitamin D supplement until he starts formula or regular milk.

So what is the deal on this? Is he right? What kind of supplement do I get? I asked him and he said anything will do :confused: i dont want to give my son just anything.

[Shaunsmom]

My pedi told us the same thing...which we did start until I found this site (then quit giving her the drops).

After my own research, I think Vitamin D supplements are unnecessary for my baby.

Kellymom.com has some great reading information here: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/vitamin-d.html

Check it out and see what you think:)

[lolabear]

thanks for the link! i just thought it odd this is my 3rd baby and i am just now hearing about this. going to go check that out :)

[Nipple_nectar]

As long as you spend a fair amount of time in the sun, our bodies are capable of creating large stores of vitamin D, I never used a supplement.

Studies have shown that children can store enough vitamin D to avoid deficiency for several months when they are exposed to only a few hours of summer sunlight.

[lolabear]

that is what it said on kellymom too, and also if mom drinks a lot of milk and I definitely drink a ton of milk so I don't think he needs the supplement.

[Psyche]

Unless you are having your vitamin D levels checked, I would reconsider the vit D drops, especially if you live up north. It appears that most adults are deficient in Vit D and rickets is making a resurgence.

I keep hearing conflicting information on how much vit D a mom needs to pass it on through her breastmilk. I'm currently taking 4000 IUI and am going to ask that the ob check my levels when I go in for my 6 week check up. Regardless, I'm going to dose Jon and Caden this winter since vit D has immune boosting properties as well. As far as I am personally concerned, supplementing with pure Vit D is benign.

I wouldn't use Poly Vi Sol, but I did see some liquid vit D drops at the Vitamin Shoppe a couple weeks ago, I'm going to be getting that. I think its about one drop for infants. A $7 bottle lasts a whole year.

[lolabear]

well it said if you live really far up north like canada north, we live in southern pa and we still get lots of sun shine here even in the winter, plus when it was summer we had him outside a lot and i was outside a lot too.

i will have to keep looking, i just hate to give them something they dont need, i didnt realize they had a vitamin D drop tho, dr said a multi vitamin and i dont always trust those types of things.

[Psyche]

Yeah, I don't trust the multivitamin things either.

Its not just the amount of sunshine you get, its also the strength of the sun, since in the winter, the sun is weaker up here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D

http://www.aap.org/family/vitdpatients.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/vitamin_D.htm

It looks like everone north of 50 latitude should be supplemented.

[lolabear]

looks like that is pretty far north from here, if i am thinking correctly?

[Psyche]

looks like that is pretty far north from here, if i am thinking correctly?


I'm having a hard time finding it on a map by googling. You'd think that would be pretty easy info to find out. Looks like the southern part of CA, but I've also heard anything north of Boston.

Of course, there has been an out break of rickets in southern states so I don't know if the latitude is good enough. Some theorize that due to urban living, sedentary lifestyles (office work, tv watching, etc), and sunblock usage nearly everyone is chronically deficient. IDK if its true or not. I just know for me and my kiddos, I'm fully comfortable with them being supplemented with vit D.

[nycmama]

I was having this debate also... I live in NYC and had a summer baby. But when we went in for his 2 week check up the pedi said I need to give him trivisol, but I also read the article on kellymom. What I was thinking was maybe just offering the vit. during winter months??

How do you know the vit, d drops are safe for babies or rather is it safe for babies? I wouldn't feel that bad if it had to be only vit, d drops instead of the multivitamin based on what kellymom says about the levels of iron and vitamin d in breastmilk.

[nycmama]

I did see some liquid vit D drops at the Vitamin Shoppe a couple weeks ago, I'm going to be getting that. I think its about one drop for infants. A $7 bottle lasts a whole year.

Is this what you were talking about ?

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=CL-1115

[Psyche]

Is this what you were talking about ?

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=CL-1115



LOL. Yup. Guess my pricing was way off. Regardless they're supposed to last a year.

[lolabear]

I was having this debate also... I live in NYC and had a summer baby. But when we went in for his 2 week check up the pedi said I need to give him trivisol, but I also read the article on kellymom. What I was thinking was maybe just offering the vit. during winter months??

How do you know the vit, d drops are safe for babies or rather is it safe for babies? I wouldn't feel that bad if it had to be only vit, d drops instead of the multivitamin based on what kellymom says about the levels of iron and vitamin d in breastmilk.

i was thinking the same thing and also b/c it said the best way to get it is bm and they wouldnt take more than they need like with a supplement. i just think it odd b/c i have bf all 3 of my kids and they are fine :confused:

[nycmama]

Well I think I'll just print out the article for my pedi. and buy the Baby D drops instead. Also switching the pedi. I curently have 2 different pedi's for my kids one for the older boys and and another for the 33 mo old. The baby happen to get the older boys pedi because I thought she was knowledgable. I guess not. I do prefer my almost-3 yr old doctor.